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Character Education

Social Contract Reminders

Let's Do This Right!

Read this article to assist you or remind you about how to implement a Social Contract.

 

 

 

Small Group Discussion

 

Remember the 4 questions you will use to build your social contract

 

  1. How do you want me to treat you?
  2. How do you want to treat each other?
  3. How do you think I want to be treated?
  4. How should we treat each other when there’s a conflict?

 

 

Social Contract Reminders

 

  • The contract is about behavior only.  The contract does no cover procedures.  Classroom procedures need to be taught separately.  For example:  where the teacher wants papers turned in, etc.
  • The social contract does not take the place of consequences.  Consequences need to be clearly defined and included in the contract.  It does not matter whether the teacher or the students come up with the consequences.  It is more important that they are understood by all.
  • Before starting the contract, talk to the class about what a healthy, happy family/team looks like.
  • Build a new contract for each class
  • PROCESS, PROCESS, PROCESS – hear each group’s response for each question, affirm, and ask questions about their responses.  By asking questions, bring up and discuss situations that you know will happen.  For example:  If someone rolls his eyes, is that a put-down?  Is it disrespectful?
  • While processing, ask a student to be a scribe and come to the front of the classroom to write on the board key words or responses from the groups.  If the same word is given more than once, the scribe should give it a check mark.
  • Let the students condense the contract, so that it’s simple to follow and can be referred to easily.
  • The contract must include:
    • No Put-Downs
      • Verbal
      • Nonverbal
      • Not being attentive (head down, etc.) – need to use good listening skills
      • Talking while someone else has permission to talk
    • 100% effort – students need to agree to give their best effort each day, and so do you
    • Confidentiality within class – (However, we must explain and include the state law on confidentiality)
  • The class needs to have three “sings or ways” to self-manage:
    • How to appropriately correct someone next to you
    • How to appropriately bring attention to someone breaking the contract across the room.  These need to be practiced by the entire class while devising the contract (regardless of student’s age).
    • Sing and post the contract
    • Don’t let the “little things” go by, because they turn into big things.  Example:  “They are sort of looking at each other rudely.”
  • Visit the contract weekly, even if they are doing great – especially for the first six weeks or until they are completely self-managing.

 

 
 

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